A big show is coming to Wisconsin, and the tickets are free. The Geminid Meteor Shower is set up to light up the Wisconsin night sky with scores of meteors. It’s a spectacular display and one of the best Wisconsin meteor showers. If you’d like to know where to see a meteor shower in Wisconsin best viewed at a dark sky park. That’s where you’ll find the darkest skies in Wisconsin. Don’t miss the show – here’s what you need to know to see this year’s Geminid Meteor Shower.

Unlike most meteor showers, which originate from comets, the Geminid meteor shower originates from a large asteroid. It’s called 3200 Phaethon, it’s over 3.5 miles in diameter, and it travels at about 45,000 miles per hour.
flickr/Lukas Schlagenhauf
The Geminid Meteor Shower arrives each December, with the peak this year expected on Dec. 14 and 15. The northern hemisphere is expected to have the best views. Hope for clear skies!
flickr/Mike Lewinski
To see the most meteors, you’ll want to put on a pot of coffee and set an alarm clock – the best time to view the shower is usually between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
flickr/Rocky Raybell

Related Stories

Enjoy A Long Walk At This Underrated State Park In Wisconsin

Enjoy A Long Walk At This Underrated State Park In Wisconsin

 Enjoy A Classical Christmas When You Visit This Charming Inn In Wisconsin

Enjoy A Classical Christmas When You Visit This Charming Inn In Wisconsin

 This Traditional Holiday Festival In Wisconsin Is The Best Way To Celebrate The Season

This Traditional Holiday Festival In Wisconsin Is The Best Way To Celebrate The Season
If you’re a little slow-moving during that time of day, you’ll have company. The meteors are slow-moving, too!
Wikimedia Commons/Geminid Meteor
The shower was first observed in 1862, and each year it becomes a little more intense, so this could be the best year yet. Expect between 120 and 160 meteors per hour during the shower’s peak.
Shannon Dizmang/Flickr
You don’t need any special equipment to see the spectacle – just look up and enjoy the show!
NPS/NASA
However, it will help to view the meteor shower from a spot with little to no light pollution. Give your eyes 30 minutes with no lights (including your phone screen) to allow them to adjust to the dark, which will help you spy more "shooting stars."

Take a look at last year’s meteor shower:

Learn more about the Geminid Meteor Shower and more upcoming celestial displays on the American Meteor Society website. If you miss this year’s show, there’s more beauty to be discovered right here on earth – here are some places in Wisconsin that are better than anywhere else in the country.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Nature’s Attractions in Wisconsin

Will Suphan | November 26, 2023

What are some natural wonders in Wisconsin?

Natural wonders in Wisconsin include:

  • Interstate State Park. This is the oldest state park in Wisconsin and contains the beautiful Dalles of the St. Croix River. 
  • Cave of the Mounds. These caves are a National Natural Landmark in Blue Mounds that are visited by over 100,000 people each year.
  • Devils Lake State Park. The otherworldly rock formations in this park near Baraboo have names like Devils Doorway and Balanced Rock.
  • Big Manitou Falls. These falls in Pattison State Park are 165 feet tall, which is two feet shorter than Niagara Falls. 

Learn more about these and other natural wonders in Wisconsin.  

What are the most beautiful nature preserves in Wisconsin?

The most beautiful nature preserves in Wisconsin are:

  • Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve. This preserve spans over 1,500 acres near Two Rivers and is comprised of conifer forests, wetlands, and prairies.
  • Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. This is a 76-acre preserve in Menasha with thick forests, marshes, wetlands, prairies, and other habitats.
  • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preserve. Located in East Troy, these 200 acres are filled with oak woodlands, savannahs, wetlands, and prairies.
  • Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve. The bluffs here are up to 100 feet tall and line the shore of Lake Michigan.

Discover more about these and several more of the most beautiful nature preserves in Wisconsin. 

What are the best state parks in Wisconsin?

These are some of the best state parks in Wisconsin:

  • Brunet Island State Park. This idyllic park rests on the corner of the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers and features many lagoons.
  • Council Grounds State Park. Located near Merrill, this little park is only 509 acres but has a beautiful lake and many campsites.
  • Peninsula State Park. There are eight miles of shoreline here and over 400 campsites. Locals come here for hiking, cycling, and more.
  • Rib Mountain State Park. This lovely area features many hiking trails and has gorgeous views from its valley overlooks.

Find out more about these and a few more of the best state parks in Wisconsin.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Wisconsin, USA